They each travel to the beat of a different drum. And fortunately for music fans, The Escovedo family has plenty of percussion instruments to go around.

As The E Family, they’ve released a new album, “Now and Forever,” which reflects diverse influences. Guests include Joss Stone, Earth Wind & Fire, George Duke and Raphael Saadiq. The family performs live at Montalvo on Saturday.

The E Family is headed by patriarch Pete Escovedo, originally from Contra Costa County. A Latin jazz percussion legend, he was an early member of Santana and has performed with such greats as Tito Puente, Cal Tjader, Anita Baker, Chick Corea and Boz Scaggs, in addition to fronting his own band.

Pete’s daughter, Sheila E., has added her rhythmic and vocal magic to the music of Prince, Lionel Richie, Jennifer Lopez, Diana Ross and many others. She is a Grammy and Emmy nominee.

Pete’s youngest son, Peter Michael, singer/bongo player, is also an Emmy nominee for his work as music director/producer of “The Wayne Brady Show.” His brother Juan plays congas, drums and vocalizes. He has previously backed Patti Labelle, En Vogue and Herbie Hancock.

Of The E Family album, the foursome’s first, Pete said, “We had this in mind for years. It’s a labor of love.”

Sheila told The Daily News, “It took a minute to realize, especially for me, that we had to sit back and allow each person to give their 25 percent and not try to take over the entire conversation. We had to look at it as, we all have input in this. Then we had a blast.”

With Juan living in Marin and the others based in Los Angeles, there were endless Skype conversations as the project took shape.

Said Pete, chuckling, “Most families have disagreements, and we had our share. But putting the whole thing together was great fun. Doing our live performance, we each get a chance to do our own thing, in a sense. We’re each featured on different songs, and that way, it keeps everybody happy.”

The three Escovedo offspring (Pete’s other daughter, Zina, handles the business end of the E Family) picked up percussion by osmosis.

“I was never one of those parents that stood over them and said, ‘You’ve got to do it this way,'” said Pete. “They just grew up in that environment of music in the house all the time, like myself and my brothers did, because our mom and dad were very musical. So the kids just took to it like a duck takes to water. It’s such a normal thing for them.

“At the beginning of each of their careers, I schooled them a little bit about rhythms and the styles of music. But once they got a hold of the fundamentals, they just took it in their own directions … I’ve always believed that music comes from who you are, your own personality.”

Sheila, who began pounding out rhythms at age 3, said, “For sure, if it wasn’t for Pops playing timbales, percussion and congas, I’m sure that I wouldn’t be playing the way that I play. It was a gift from God, but it was also a gift from my dad to be in a room with him and just watch him, his dedication.”

A track star, Sheila had been focusing on Olympics as her life’s goal. But performing with her father at age 15 provided an epiphany.

“My dad’s percussion player got sick. I convinced him, with my mom, to let me play. I said ‘I know all the songs, because you guys rehearse at the house.’ And that was it for me, literally, that one show. As much adrenaline as I had competing in meets and running, the feeling that I had that night playing with my dad was an experience I’ll never forget. That was a turning point in my life. My dad told me, ‘Take a solo.’ I said, ‘Yeah, I guess, whatever that is.’ And by the time I was done, I felt like I was watching myself, like an out-of-body experience. And the crowd, there was like 3,000 people, there was a standing ovation. And I was like, ‘Oh, my God, what happened?’

“After the show was over, my dad just hugged me and we cried. He said he didn’t realize that I knew that much. And I said, ‘I didn’t either.’ I said, ‘This is what I want to do for the rest of my life.’ And that was it. I went on tour with him two weeks later.”

Pete, who turns 76 next week, said, “At this point in my life, the best joy I have now is just working with my kids.”

But he and Sheila, 53, also get great joy from bringing music into the lives of children in need. Pete has established a music scholarship in his name at Pittsburg High School. Sheila, with manager/business partner Lynn Mabry, has founded Elevate Hope Foundation, providing instruments and music education to kids who have been abused, are homeless or are in foster care.

Pete said, “Cutbacks in schools have taken away the music programs. There’s so much need for that. With the kids involving themselves in music, it keeps them off the street.”

Added Sheila, “Music helps with reading, as well as math. It helps kids’ development, confidence, communication and social awareness.”

Pete related, “Contributing so much to the young kids, that is so rewarding. If you’re successful in this business, it’s a great thing to give back. That’s the greatest joy, to use what we have been blessed with to hopefully bless other people.”

Seeing his children and now his grandchildren immersing themselves in rhythm and music makes Pete Escovedo feel truly blessed.

“It’s great to leave this legacy to the kids. The Escovedo family is basically, a very large family of music. To see all of that happen while I’m still here is such a blessing. To witness the kids growing up and follow their own accomplishments, it’s really cool.”